Humaita Nips Aud in Dowager Duel

(from Keeneland report)Humaita edged Aud at the finish of a long stretch duel to win the $150,000 Rood and Riddle Dowager Stakes Sunday going 1 1/2 miles on soft turf at Keeneland.

At the top of the stretch, the slight favorite Humaita with Robby Albarado on the outside, and Aud with Pat Day on the inside, overtook pacesetter Mexican Moonlight.

The two raced almost as a team through the final eighth of a mile with Humaita getting the nod at the finish in 2:33.28.

"Robby (Albarado) said he won it, but I wasn't so sure as I was watching on TV," said Humaita's trainer Graham Motion. "I thought the turf would suit her."

It was eight lengths back to third-place Literacy in the field of seven fillies and mares.

A German-bred daughter of Surumu, Humaita added the Dowager to a previous victory this year in the 1 3/8-mile Glens Falls Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Saratoga. She improved her record to 12-5-2-1 and increased her career earnings to $260,210.

The winner, who is owned by Andreas Jacobs, paid $5.20, $2.40 and $2.40.

Aud, awarded victory in the Yellow Rose Breeders' Cup via disqualification in her last start, returned $2.80 and $2.60.